city guide
A hand-picked guide to 2 of the most stunning waterfalls in Nikko. Each entry below has our personal notes, photos, driving directions and the practical detail you need to plan a visit — from parking and hike lengths to swimming rules and the best time of year to go.
#1 · 97 m drop
Nikko · Tochigi · Japan
Originally I came to #Nikko (日光) just to see the summer green forest, and maybe enjoy an off-season hot spring to relax a bit.
But unexpectedly, the biggest surprise—more shocking than the hot springs and forests—was the waterfalls here.
The most famous Kegon Falls (华严瀑布) is so beautiful.
#2 · 60 m drop
Nikko · Tochigi · Japan
We started hiking upstream from Ryuzu Falls. At the beginning, it’s a well-maintained path with stone steps and concrete pavement. After reaching the top of Ryuzu Falls and crossing the road, you continue forward and arrive at Senjogahara.
First stop is Ryuzu Falls—about 210 meters in length. Walking up along the trail, the scenery is beautiful from every angle. Then after a short drive of a few minutes, you reach Yudaki Falls, where water cascades down powerfully from Lake Yunoko—truly an impressive sight. A 400-meter walk takes you up to Lake Yunoko itself, which is also very beautiful. We even saw a few mandarin ducks leisurely swimming around. At noon, we stopped in Nikko to enjoy a local specialty: yuba (tofu skin).
Wet rocks, hidden currents and fast-changing weather catch out experienced hikers every year. Read our quick safety guide before you head out.